398 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



it on the fishermen before. I learned it from Edwin Booth; 

 he has made it a chestnut to his audiences, but I might 

 work it in as original in the dime museums until the fat man 

 takes to applying it to the living skeleton; that would para- 

 lyze it for future use. 



Once in a while I get a sore-headed fit but it passes like a 

 thunder storm, leaving a better atmosphere behind it. Such 

 a fit comes on when I hear, or read of, a good fish being 

 denounced as a "vulgarian" because it is not "first-class." 

 In Europe it is said that only princes and Americans ride 

 first class, and I have seen the time that a cattle-car would 

 have been welcomed as a means of abolishing space, while 

 "counting railroad ties" was the only alternative between 

 walking when "the ghost did not walk" and paying railroad 

 fares. Therefore I do not rage with the heathen, but accept 

 the best that is to be had. Years ago, when living in New 

 York City, I have gone to Italian opera, on off-nights when 

 there was no sparring at Harry Hill's or dog fight at Harry 

 Jenning's, and really enjoyed it as a change, on the same 

 principle as the old European Professor who rode in the 

 third-class coach because there was no fourth. 



After reading the above there appears to be a digression, 

 but foot-paths are always more attractive than highways; 

 and if I can't digress, then, to use the simile of the beginning, 

 I had best let down the banjo bridge and "uncork." The 

 point that was intended to be made is this: It is the fashion 

 in this country to decry certain fishes, that are so far above 

 many of those that both ancient and modern British anglers 

 fish for that it has become necessary to defend some of the 

 New World forms which have made the heart of Izaak Walton 

 rejoice. First in this class is the Big-mouthed Black Bass, 

 which a few still persist in calling "Oswego" Bass (how I hate 

 that name!) It is a grand game fish, and is more certain to 

 rise to the hy than the Small-mouth, to which its detractors 

 always compare it. Where is the other duffer in the audi- 



